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During most years, more than 100 antique cars line E. Columbus Street in Pickerington for the
car and bike show at the Violet Festival.

Yesterday, the festival’s last day, the rain kept all but two cars from showing up early for
inspection. And both of them belonged to one man.

“I come each year, but this year I brought both of my (1962 Pontiac Tempests) so I could see
them side-by-side,” said Don Casteel, 64, a Pickerington resident.“I’ll put the hoods down if the
rain and wind get bad.”Later in the afternoon, a few more cars showed up for the4 p.m. judging.

The four-day festival at Victory Park included traditional carnival rides, food and
entertainment, including a puppeteer and bands. Rain kept many from attending yesterday.

“There won’t be many cars to judge,” said Eric Lapin, 28, the judge of the AAA Ohio Auto Club
Car & Bike Show.

This was the 16th Violet Festival, but its name dates back more than 200 years, said Jason
Heitmeyer, vice president of the festival board.He said area settlers chose the name Violet
Township in 1808 because of the abundance of violets in the area. The Ohio legislature designated
Pickerington the Violet Capital of Ohio in 1996.

“The irony is that violets aren’t in bloom now, so you won’t see any violets,” Heitmeyer
said.While the Ohio State Fair might pull in the big crowds, the Violet Festival has a more
neighborly feel, Heitmeyer said.

“We get to show off Pickerington to the surrounding community,” he said.

Mike Reinig, 43, recently moved from New Jersey to Pickerington and decided to take his
3-year-old twin boys, Finn and Jedd, to the festival.

Both won small stuffed tigers at one of the game booths. The boys said they looked forward to
the rides, which stayed closed for much of the afternoon because of the rain.

“We thought the weather would get better,” Reinig said.

Linda Skaggs, 67, whose booth featured face painting, temporary tattoos and henna, said she was
busy during the festival’s first three days.She said she enjoys interacting with people.